William Christian Ludwil

William (Bill) Ludwil died peacefully on March 19, 2026 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Bill was born on June 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dorothy Bravinder Ludwil and Eugene Ralph Ludwil. Although an only child, he was very close to his Bravinder family relatives growing up, including many cousins who were like siblings to him.

Bill graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1963 and attended the University of Minnesota, where he was a proud member of the U of M Band, playing clarinet and drums and serving as a guidon bearer. After two years of college, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and trained as an X-ray technician. He was stationed at bases in California, Taiwan, and Biloxi, Mississippi, and was honorably discharged in February 1970.

Bill returned to the University of Minnesota, earning a B.S. in business in 1971. His career in Food Safety and Quality Assurance began with Hormel, where he worked for 14 years in several locations. He later held positions with Jerome Foods in Barron, Wisconsin; Carolina Turkeys in Mount Olive, North Carolina; and Schwan’s Foods in Marshall, Minnesota, retiring from Schwan’s in 2005 as Vice President of Food Safety and Quality.

Beyond his military and professional life, Bill had many hobbies and was an avid tinkerer. He completed a course in home entertainment electronics and built a television to watch the Minnesota Vikings in the 1977 Super Bowl. He also built a Heathkit doorbell that he programmed to play the Minnesota Rouser. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting furniture and gifts such as bookcases, a bar, sconces, and a fireplace mantel and cribbage table for his in-laws’ lake home.

Bill loved and owned several Cadillacs, his favorite being a 1970 DeVille convertible, which he used to drive several local celebrities in parades. He also enjoyed golfing, photography, and collecting—stamps, coins, and had a most impressive beer can collection. A passionate griller, he didn’t let harsh Minnesota winters stop him, even building a recessed grill station protected from the wind and weather. Bill also enjoyed taking the family on road trips and vacations, especially along The Gunflint Trail in northern Minnesota. He loved music, which brought him peace and comfort throughout his battle with dementia.

Bill was active in the communities where he lived, including running for school board in Fort Dodge, Iowa, membership in the Elks Lodge in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and volunteering with the United Way in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He was also proud to serve as an escort for the Triangle Flight of Honor May 4, 2011, accompanying World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., for a day of visiting memorials.

Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Susan Ring Ludwil; daughters Kelly Bates of Sartell, Minnesota, and Jenny (Jeff) Umbarger of Durham, North Carolina; and grandsons Andrew Bates and Elliot and Oliver Umbarger.

A note from the family:

We are grateful to Bill’s many caregivers during the years of his dementia, including Soltys Place Adult Day Health (Hillsborough, NC), the Durham Center for Senior Life Adult Day Health, the Durham VA Medical Center and COACH program, Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and Liberty Home Care & Hospice.

Although he battled Alzheimer’s for a decade and could no longer call us by name, we are thankful that he still recognized us as the people who loved him, which he expressed through his beaming smile and sparkling blue eyes. We will be holding a private memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life.


Donations in memory of Bill can be made to:

The Snow Approach Foundation, Inc., 129 East King Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 or online at https://snowapproach.org/donate/.

Duke Dementia Family Support Program, Box 3600 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710 or online at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth/?designation=3910194

Liberty Hospice, 3414 N. Duke St, Durham NC 27704